Covered container with cover fastening means



Jan. 6, 1942.'` c. F. oN'r-IANK 2,268,720

` COVERED CONTAINERWITH COVER FAJSTENING MEANS y Filed July a, 1959 i Patented Jan. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COVERED CONTAINER; WITH COVER FASTENIN G MEANS charles F. onthank, chestnut inn, Mass. Application July 8, 1939, Serial No. 283,474!I 3'Cl`amS. (Cl. 215-90) Y This invention relates to covered containers and means for securing the covers on the containers. A principal object of the invention is to provide an arrangement wherein the securing means are readily applied and released, electively seat the cover in ordinary use, and yet will permit the cover to lift for venting under high internal pressures. Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the securing means are eifectively positioned on a pivot wire.

A typical and practical embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawing with reference to which I shall describe the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of a container and cover with a pair of securing members in released position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the holding members in applied or locking position.

Figure 3 is an elevation of the combination as shown in Figure 2 as seen, for example, from the right of the latter figure.

.Figure 4 is a View similar to that of Figure `3,

but showing a diierent form of pivotal mountingr for the securing member.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing a modicaton of the mounting of Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a securingmember in perspective. f

Figure 7 shows in rear elevation a somewhat modified form of securing member and a portion of a. pivot wire with positioning means for the securing member.

Figure 8 shows the securing Ifin side elevation.

Figure 9- is a section substantially on line 9 9 of Figure '7, and

Figure 10 is a partial view similar to that of Figure '7 showing a modied form of positioning means 'for the securing member.

Referring to the drawing, and first to Figures 1 to 3 and 6, reference numeral I 0 designates member of Figure generally a container, here shown as being a jar which may be of glass and of substantially cy-V lindrical form.

The circular mouth of the container has a flat lip II from which the outer surface oi the container is downwardly flared at shoulder I3 under which is engaged a wire I4 whose ends are twisted together or otherwise suitably united. Upward displacement of. the wire is prevented by shoulder I3 andV downward displacement is opposed by the downwardly flared I2 to a peripheral designated at 22,

l lying relation to the I6 of glass or other suitable lip I I and as here shown has a depending circular flange I 8v which serves to center the cover on ,the container. A sealing gasket I9 is interposed between the lip II and the marginal portion I1 of the cover. Adjacent the lip the cover has substantially the same diameter as the lip, being flared upwardly, however, and into an upstanding flange which has a relatively thin rounded upper edge 2| which lies substantially directly above the wire I4, or perhaps somewhat inwardly as regards the latter.

At least a pair of holding or securing members in the form of spring clips are provided and these are pivoted on the wire I4 at diametrically opposite points. Each of these clips, generally is, as here shown, formed from a' strip of relatively heavy springy, although deformable, metal, width. The strip is bent at 23 to form substantially rectangularly related portions 24 and 25,

the. latter of which is given a slight. bend or outwardoffset. at 26. The terminal part of the portion.25 is centrally recessed at 21 so that a pair of spaced apart lingers 28 and 29 are provided. The ends of these ngers are bent to form the eyes 30 andA 3| through which the pivot wire I4 is`v threaded prior tok its application to the co hooked to tainer, or the nger ends may be directly bent around. the wire. Obviously, they need not be bent completely around the wire, but only toa suicient eXtentfto retain the parts in operative relation.

The terminal part 32 of portion 24 is bent backY under the latter on a fairly round bend, as here` shown, and extends to a point adjacent the portion 25.

.Atv its end the portion 32 is bent or give a shallow, transverse, channel-like formation 33. the hook 33 is bent or oiset at 34 toward the part 24. l

With the members 22 pivotally4 mounted on wire I4and the cover I6 in place, they are swung upwardly to snap the hooked portions 33 linto engagement with the relatively narrow ange edge 2I, as shown in Figure 2, an intermediate position being shown in Figure 1. The relationj of.v

parts is such that the the. overlying portions crab-ly somewhat downwardly and inwardly inclined as shown in Figure 2. position of Figure 2, however, the offset portions parts 3-2 are ilexed toward marginal portion II in over@` the strip being of substantial,

The region of portion 32 adjacent 24, which latter are pref.-

In the appliedf cilitated. Furthermore, very quick release is v assured by the offsets 34 which are so proportioned that the clips are free of the flange -edge as soon as their end portions 33 have moved from the latter. The best possible compressive eiect on the gasket is secured, since there is a substantially direct downward pull on the cover due to the positioning of the edge 2| substantially directly above the pivot wire.

In venting, upon the development of high internal pressures, the cover lifts without any unlocking tendency on the clips, the portions 32 flexing toward the portions 24. Flange I8 guides the cover in the venting operation and has suii'icient clearance with the container walls so that venting can take place therebetween.

I have found that with the recess 21 omitted and the end of portion 25 rolled throughout its width about the pivot wire, which is circularly bent, there is a binding effect so that when the v clips are 'applied to the cover the wire tends to be twisted and its torsion consequently tends to disengage the clips. This tendency is practically avoided by providing the relatively narrow, spaced apart fingers which project substantially beyond the solid portions of thev clips, and consequently the provision of these iingers constitute a preferred feature of construction.

It will be noted that the vertical contour of the container and cover ladjacent the gasket is such that any outward bulging of the latter will not reach outside the projection of the cover or container so that there will be no interference with the clips. Such possibility of interference would also be eliminated by the bends 26, these bends contributing also to the resiliency and adaptability of the clips.

The same clip 22 is shown in Figure 4, but in this case the container 35 is formed with a pair of circumferentially spacedlugs 36 and 31 which are pierced to receive a pivot pin 38 upon which the clip is mounted as before. The fingers of the clip may be clinched on the pin to prevent longitudinal displacement of the latter or the pin may be headedor bent or otherwisesecured in position. The recess 21 could, of course, be omitted.

In Figure the container 39 is provided with a single lug 40 pierced to receive a pivot pin 4| and of a size to be received in the recess 21 in the manner shown, the clips straddling the lugs.

In Figures 4 and 5 I have shown the same cover as in Figures 1 to 3 and the pivoting axis in each case is substantially directly below the edger 2 l, as described in connection with the first embodiment.

The pivot arrangements of Figures 4 and 5, involving the lug formations, lare desirable from a number of standpoints. The cost of a neck wire is largely saved and assembly can be made much more rapidly. The jar is easier to clean and damaged clips are much more readily replaced.

In Figures '7 to 9 the clip 40 is generally the same as that shown in the other gures, but in this case it is formed with a re-inforclng rib 4| which runs centrally along the angularly related portions 42 and 43, being branched at 44 and 45 into the spaced-apart fingers 46 and 41 which are bent around a pivot wire 48. In this oase, however, the pivot wire has an off-set 49 between the fingers 46 'and 41 and consequently the clip is securely held against sliding in either direction on the wire. This is a feature of considerable importance, since in original manufacture the clips are strung on the wire and later on are applied tothe container. Due to the offsets, as

at49, lin the wire, the clips maintain their rela- Ytive positions lengthwise of the wire at all times.

I Another advantage of the clip shown in Figures '1 to 9 is that, due to the struck-up longitudinally extending rib, lighter gauge metal can be used.

In Figure 10 the same design of clip is shown as in Figures 7 to 9, but in this case the wire 50 is provided with two small downward offsets 5I y and 52 between the clip fingers. With this arrangement there is greater security in case the fingers are bent or looped very loosely about the,

wire. With the clip tensioned in use, for example, the bottoms of the loops are engaged with the bottom of the wire and the downward offsets are fully effective. Under the same conditions the loops might be able to slip past the upwardl offset of Figures '7 and 9. It will be understood that the form of offset of these latter. figures could be directed downwardly as in Figure 10, if desired.

While I have shown a preferred configuration of the bent-under portions of the clips and a preferred form of container cover for cooperation therewith, it will be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited in these respects. v rangement are possible without departure from the invention and accordingly I do not limit myself in these respects except as in the following claims.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 156,418, filed July 29, 1'93'1.

I claim:

1. The combination with a container in the form of ajar, of a cover for the mouth of the jar having a marginal portion adapted to overlie the jar lip, and means for yieldingly holding said cover operatively on said jar, said means comprising a plurality of spring clips each of which comprises a strip of springy metal of vsubstantial width bent transversely to form two portions yat an angle to each other, a wire surrounding thev clearance for the wire between said fingers, the' width of the strip being such for the purposeof strength that if its full width were rolled about the wire a binding effect would result upon pivot,-

ing but the fingers having a sufficient freelength and being of such small width that binding effect upon pivoting is substantially avoided, the other portions of said clips being operatively engageable over the top of said cover.

2. The combination with a container in the' form of aviar, of a cover for the mouth of the jar having a marginal portion adapted to overlie the j ar lip,v and means for yieldingly holding said cover'operatively on said jar. said means compris- Variations Ain details of form and ar ing a plurality of spring clips each of which cornprises a strip of springy metal of substantial width bent transversely to form two portions at an angle to each other, a wire surrounding the container below said lip, the end of one portion of each of said clips being centrally recessed whereby to form a pair of yspaced apart fingers whose ends are bent around an arcuate portion of said wire as a pivot, the recess providing a clearance for the wire between said ngers, the width of the strip being such for the purpose of strength that if its full width were rolled about the wire a binding eifect would result upon pivoting but the fingers having a sufficient free length and being of such small width that binding effect upon pivoting is substantially avoided, said wire being oiset between the fingers of each clip whereby to position the clips on the wire, the other portions of said clips being operatively engageable over the top of said cover.

3. The combination with a container in the form of a jar, of a cover for the mouth of the jar having a marginal portion adapted to overlie the jar lip, and means for yieldingly holding said cover operatively on said jar, said means comprising a plurality of spring clips each of which comprises a strip of springy metal of substantial width bent transversely to form two portions at an angle to each other, a wire surrounding the container below said lip, the end of one portion of each of said clips being centrally recessed whereby to form a pair of spaced apart fingers whose ends are bent around an arcuate portion of said wire as a pivot, the recess providing a clearance for the wire between said ngers, the width of the strip being such for the purpose of strength that if its full width were rolled about the wire a binding eiect would result upon pivoting but the fingers having a suicient free length and being of such small width that binding eiect upon pivoting is substantially avoided, said wire being offset downwardly lbetween the ngers of each clip whereby to position the clips on the wire, the other portions of said clips being operatively engageable over the top of said cover.

CHARLES F. ONTHANK. 

